Sodium HydroxymethylglycinateSodium hydroxymethylglycinate, the chemical preservative emitting formaldehyde, in so-called "natural" skincare? Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is used more often than you think, especially as manufacturers slowly phase out parabens. As a preservative, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, sodium salt of amino acid glycine, helps prevent bacterial or fungal growth.

Many people who are allergic to certain ingredients, including sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, develop rashes and redness that can look like acne, so here's a bit of newest research on this ingredient.

According to Environmental Working Group and their famous Skin Deep database of ingredients, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate has low toxicity rating - mainly because this ingredient has never been tested for safety in humans or in animal studies. Common skin reactions to sodium hydroxymethylglycinate usually include redness, stinging, burning sensation, and aggravation of existing skin conditions such as acne or eczema.

What's more disturbing, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate now is gaining "popularity" among greenwashers in organic cosmetic trade, who claim that this chemical is natural and even organic because it was once an amino acid, glycine. Well, then plastics are organic, too, because they were once prehistoric forests (you certainly know that crude oil is basically rotten trees, don't you?) Just as coconut oil undergoes complex chain of chemical reactions involving harsh chemicals to become a "coconut-derived" detergent, so does glycine becomes completely transformed with such toxic chemicals as formaldehyde, to become sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.

Here's what recent research says about sodium hydroxymethylglycinate coming from such a respected body as Department of Medicine at University of California in San Diego, USA:

Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is a preservative used in many commercially available products, including shampoos, conditioners, soaps, moisturizers, body sprays, baby wipes, room sprays, cleaning agents, and pesticides. It is in a class of chemicals known as formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Notably, members of this class have been associated with allergic contact dermatitis, possibly due to the agents themselves, the formaldehyde they release, or both. Studies on sodium hydroxymethylglycinate in animals have demonstrated potential for sensitization and dermatitis, and formaldehyde-allergic patients have been reported to improve when products containing SHMG are avoided. Patients and providers need to be aware of this preservative. So if you are looking for an organic solution for your allergy-prone, acne-prone skin, then a product with sodium hydroxymethylglycinate should definitely be avoided.

Source: Russell K, Jacob SE. Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. Dermatitis. 2010 Apr;21(2):109-10.

Nevertheless, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate is currently found in the following so-called "natural" products (this list is not exhaustive):

  • Jurlique Soothing Herbal Recovery Gel
  • Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist
  • Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream
  • REN Matte Balancing Fluid
  • REN Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream
  • REN Vita-Mineral Radiant Day Cream
  • REN Revivo-Lift H11 Intensive Night Serum
  • Natural Magic Eco-Herbal Skin Care Pure Pearl Cream
  • Sircuit Cosmeceuticals dreamweaver Night Time Skin Repair
  • Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme
  • Alchemilla Rehydrating Night Balm (and other products)
  • Zia Natural Skincare Deep Moisture Repair Serum
  • Be Natural Organics Liposome Hydration Creme

As all of Petite Marie Organics products are formulated to solve skin problems, we only use non-chemical natural preservatives and avoid potentially toxic ingredients such as parabens, parabens and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate.